vehicle welding precautions

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I recently picked up an old MIG and after a little self-study and practice, can put down an acceptable bead.  I want to patch a few spots on floorboards and I have to get in the car to weld them.Any special precautions to take when welding in a vehicle?Kneel on an insulator?Disconnect battery or any other electronics?Is the gas tank ok as is as long as there is no welding near the tank, fuel or vapor lines?I’m just wondering if anybody does anything special beyond using common sense to make sure the heat and sparks do not ignite combustibles.
Reply:Disconnect your battery for sure.
Reply:disconnect the battery..look underneeth for any fuel lines..brake lines..emergency brake cable..speedometer cable... wiring harnesses or wires running along the frame..mice that built houses in the small places...look for the obvious..before you need to also replace the obvious... ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Also put the ground clamp as close to the piece being welded as you can. This will prevent things like shifter cables and brake lines from becoming the ground. Nothing like seeing your shifter cable turn bright red.Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:Originally Posted by drivesectorAlso put the ground clamp as close to the piece being welded as you can. This will prevent things like shifter cables and brake lines from becoming the ground. Nothing like seeing your shifter cable turn bright red.
Reply:Never earth on a wheel stud or nut unless you want to replace your wheel bearings.
Reply:Another good point.Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:Originally Posted by drivesectorAlso put the ground clamp as close to the piece being welded as you can. This will prevent things like shifter cables and brake lines from becoming the ground. Nothing like seeing your shifter cable turn bright red.
Reply:my friend said that if i welded with the battery connected the battery and computer could become magnetised...does this sound real?its never magnetized with my flux core welder
Reply:Originally Posted by slow6my friend said that if i welded with the battery connected the battery and computer could become magnetised...does this sound real?its never magnetized with my flux core welder
Reply:Originally Posted by slow6my friend said that if i welded with the battery connected the battery and computer could become magnetised...does this sound real?its never magnetized with my flux core welder
Reply:Originally Posted by slow6my friend said that if i welded with the battery connected the battery and computer could become magnetised...does this sound real?its never magnetized with my flux core welder
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloThe problems for computers come from HF start up systems, or any welders that run on continuos HF. The wavelenght screws up the computers, especially the really fancy car computers(ie. Mercedes, BMW, etc.) and it will fry the very first computers in US cars easily-ie my old 1985 Ford Ranger, etc. Easy fix, disconnect battery lead as previously warned.
Reply:Good advice from all!!  Summing it up, Disconnect battery, keep ground connection as close to the work as possible. Do not connect ground clamp on or near anything mechanical or electronic; solid frame or chassis connections only. And finally, check BOTH sides of your work for problem areas before you begin welding.  It would be a very good idea to keep a garden hose pressurized and at the ready, and a bucket of water with several soaked rags in it. Make sure you are wearing a welding mask and gloves. Stop and check periodically while you are progressing with your work. Undecoating will smolder and burn, as will the factory-applied seam caulking.   And finally, protect your glass from the possibility of spatter. I understand you are working on floorboards with a mig welder, so this is a remote possibility, but it merits mentioning. Any contact with hot spatter will immediately cause pocking of the affected glass. Using a grinder near the glass will do the same thing. (Somewhat) bitter experience talking here.  Good luck with your project!!If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.Last edited by Clanweld; 10-15-2006 at 05:55 PM.
Reply:God damn, I need you to come to work with me and explain things that I cant explain to the jackasses that work for me. Maybe I need a class in explanation training. That would explain why everyone is P/O'd at me all the time. Hmmmm. LOLDrivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:unbelievable..... i thought was the only one.... ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:LOL...We all have 'em.If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:Originally Posted by ClanweldAny contact with hot spatter will immediately cause pocking of the affected glass. Using a grinder near the glass will do the same thing. (Somewhat) bitter experience talking here.